Gear up for summer workouts

By Jessica Belasco :
May 31, 2013
: Updated: June 5, 2013 9:27am

These fun fitness finds use inventive technology and creative design to help make your workouts more effective and enjoyable.

Whether you're planning an active vacation, training for the Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon in November or working to shed pounds, this gear can help shake up your workouts and offer new challenges.

Balancing act

Improve balance and work your core by performing pushups, planks and other moves on balance pods, which can be placed flat-side down for an easier workout or flat-side up for a more challenging one. SPRI Balance Pods, set of six, $52.98, www.spriproducts.com

Speed without slope

Get the benefits of barefoot running with the cushioning of traditional running shoes with zero-drop shoes, which have little or no slope from the heel to the forefoot, says Adan Munoz, marketing manager at Good Sports, 12730 I-10 W. Altra Women's The Intuition 1.5, $100, www.altrazerodrop.com

Don't sweat it

When exercising in the heat, look for lightweight, sweat-wicking apparel that speeds up drying time and helps keep you cool, Munoz says. The North Face Flight Series Men's Better Than Naked short-sleeve shirt, $50, www.thenorthface.com

Water music

No need to leave your tunes poolside when swimming laps. The waterproof Neptune mp3 player attaches to goggle straps and transmits audio through the cheekbone into the inner ear — no ear buds required. $159.99, www.finisinc.com

It may look like a plain rope, but grip the handles of a combat rope and swing and undulate it to burn calories, strengthen your upper body and work your core. GoFit Combat Rope with Total Body Workout training book, $159.95, www.gofit.net

Intensify your pool workouts with the AquaJogger, which suspends you in the water and allows you to perform a variety of no-impact exercises with resistance equipment. $44.95-$99.95, www.aquajogger.com

Handheld hydration

Stay hydrated during outdoor exercise with insulated water bottles that attach to your hand and feature leak-proof spouts that don't have to be pulled open mid-run, Whitley says. CamelBak Quick Grip 21 %water bottle, $23, www.camelbak.com